We live in a society in which the negative things make the news. There are many of us immigrants who live in the US and – in spite of the political disaster of the past (almost) 8 years – find things to be grateful for in this US society which we don’t find in other places. This was my Rotary Club, 4 minute vision statement, for Dec 2007

A “Personal Ode to America” or what I am grateful for:

I am grateful for:

• Being in a society which values diversity!

Where else can I have a birthday party with friends from 15 different countries – AND, that’s normal

• Having had 3 businesses which went nowhere, and having people around me encourage me to do something different again.

• Walking barefoot in my house, and my clients and friends rush to take off their shoes when they see that; in Germany, I was lectured, “ you can’t do that, Frau Doctor.”

• Being given the chance to accomplish something because of what I was able to do and not because I was from a “famous family”, —-as was in the case of Hal Loucheim, who let me pitch classes to him for Stanford’s Continuing Studies and then gave me the opportunity to teach them.

• Having a real equal opportunity in the little things, such as getting into swim classes for my kids because I was in line early (no one cut ahead because they knew the director)
• Not having to bribe the butcher to get a good cut of meat because the country is exporting the best and keeping back the bad, as in the case of Brazil when I lived there.

People coming here to this country value that there is a fair system for all (or it tries to be).

• Being surrounded by incredible people (smart, successful) —- and they talk to me and take me seriously! [For my interview research project, I went to over 40 different leaders in the Silicon Valley and they all gave me their time, a commodity which is priceless here.]

Would they have done that in France, Germany or Brazil?

• Having a chance and the freedom to push and develop my business in any direction and there are no barriers put up by society and no one tells me, “this won’t work”

• Experiencing the generosity of this community which helped me write 2 books in the last 16 months.

It is the American way to wish others well.And lastly, I am grateful for being a part of this group of wonderfully, warm, caring people who make me feel welcome.